Spool or mandrel



Nd Model.)

J. P'. SINCLAIR. SPOOL OR MANDREL.

Pat ented Apr. 16, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE,

JAMES P. SINCLAIR, OF MOTTVILLE; NEW YORK.

SPOOL OR MANDREL.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,'789, dated Aprl 16,` 1895.

Application filed July 28, 1894. Serial No. 518.813. (Ne model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I JAMES P. SINCLAIR, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Mottville, in the count y of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spools or Mandi-ols, of which the following is a specification. v

My invention relates to improvements in spools or mandrels upon which paper or fabrics are wound and the object of the invention is to provide a spool which can be expanded or contracted so that when a roll of paper or fabric is Wound on the spool or mandrel it can be contracted and removed from the roll and can then be expanded to its original size.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures. y

In the drawings Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of the spool when closed or contracted. Fig. 2, is a similar view of the spool two-thirds expanded. Fig. 3, is a perspective View of spool two thirds expanded partly broken away. Fig. 4, is a cross section of the spool closed, and Fig. 5, is a similar View two-thirds expanded.

In the figures C represents the spool or mandrel of any suitable length and approximate diameter, and A represents the shaft or spindle upon which it is monnted.

The shaft is provided with a plurality of slots a or depressions milled in its face and preferably arranged in rows. These depressions have inclined bottoms and are designed to receive the innerhalves of the balls 0 which rest, when the spindle is cont-racted, in the deepest portions of said depressions.

A series of strips or staves t' is provided extending longitudinally of the spindle and these correspond in number to the rows of balls and are provided with corresponding recesses i' having inclined bottoms.

In the present drawings I have shown four staves and four rows of balls but any number might be used, as for instance three, six or more as found necessary or desirable.

The staves are surrounded by a rubber tube D which is slightly smaller in interiordiameter than the exterior diameter of the staves when in their cont'acted position so that the tube will always tend to hold said staves in close proxinity to the spindle as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

The outer end of the spindle is screw thread* ed and carries a nut B by means of which the spindle may be drawn longitndinally through the cylinder in the direction of the arrow and this will cause the balls to ride upon the inclined bottoms of the depressions and expand the mandrel as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5.

I prefer to interpose a Washer G between the nut B and the' end of the staves to provide a bearing surface for the nut.

The operation of the device in use will be readily apparent, as when in its expanded condition the paper fabric or other material may be wound upon it, and when it is desired to move the mandrel from' the roll, th e unscrewing of the nut will permit the spin dle to move longitudinally and the rubber tube to contract when the spool may be readily withdrawn.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In combination, the spindle, having depressions, balls resting therein the outer expansible cylinder, and means for expanding the cyli'nder about the spindle, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the spindle having inclined depressions, balls resting therein, the outer expansible cylinder, and means for movin g said spindle longitudinally within the cylinder, substantially as described.

3. In combination, the spindle having inclined depressions, the staves having corresponding inclined depressions, balls located in said depressions, an expansible covering for said staves, andmeans for moving the spindle longitudinally of the staves, substanof the staves and the nut, substantally as dero tially as described. *seribefh 4. In eombination, the spindle having in- In testmony whereof I affix my signature clined dep'essions arranged in rows, the in presence of two witnesses.

5 staves also having corresponding inclined de- T pressions, the balls located in said depres- JAMES sn\ CLAIR' sons,'ohe elastic eylinder inclosng said staves, WVitnesses: the nut threaded on the ends of the spindle C. W. DOVE,

and the Washer interposed between the ends GEO. C. BURCH. 

